Lenin's text

To Comrade Krasin.

If Ioffe repeats idiotic speeches about the fact that we have broken with the Entente2 , I will not listen to him, as for what concerns the treaties, we do not consider it essential. I do not see a shadow of a motive for his trip to Moscow.

Text by L.B. Krasin

At the apparatus, Mr. Krasin.

I ask you to inform t. Lenin in reply to a telegram which I do not understand in its harshness. I see no reason why the trip, which is recognized by all as unconditionally necessary, is not permitted by you. I personally ask you to change this decision, and I think that the satisfaction of this request, without causing any damage to the Berlin work, will greatly facilitate my future cooperation with you in Moscow. I consider your personal authority too high to disobey your decision, but I assure you that you are mistaken and will regret it yourself if Ioffe's trip does not take place. I am waiting for your decision not later than half an hour from now, as it is time to get on the train.

Krasin.

Give this to Mr. Chicherin

I add that Ioffe himself has also been against the trip for the last few days and I personally, together with other comrades, am taking him to Moscow almost by force. I am waiting for Lenin's decision.

Krasin

Text by V.I. Lenin and G.V. Chicherin

To Comrade Krasin.

If you so insist, the matter falls on your responsibility. We agree to Ioffe's trip.

Lenin.

Chicherin.

Fund 2, op. 1, d. 26258, fol. 11- 12 - telegraphic tape.

1The subject of negotiations was a short trip of A.A. Ioffe from Berlin to Moscow, to which V.I. Lenin and G.V. Chicherin objected. At this time Ioffe, as a diplomatic representative of the Russian government, finalized in Berlin negotiations on the conclusion of the Russo-German Addendum to the Brest Peace Treaty and the Russo-German Financial Agreement. The treaty and the financial agreement were signed on August 27, 1918 in Berlin by A.A. Ioffe on the Russian side and von P. Ginze and I. Kriege on the German side (see: Documents of the Foreign Policy of the USSR. Vol. 1, pp. 437-459).

2With the beginning of the military intervention of the Entente countries in the North of Russia, A.A.Ioffe recommended to V.I.Lenin to maintain diplomatic relations with these countries. In response, Lenin wrote on August 3: "Everything you write in your recent letters is absurd to the point of supernaturalism. To pursue the 'former' policy of non-disengagement with the Entente after Onega is ridiculous. It is impossible to make a lady with a child innocent again" (Lenin V.I. Complete Collected Works, vol. 50, p. 134). The town of Onega was captured by the interventionists on July 31, 1918.